The Minnesota Timberwolves are dealing with Kevin Love trade rumors this offseason and now Ricky Rubio could get into the mix as well, as he is asking for a max contract and there is a chance that the Wolves could trade him down the line if the team can't come to an agreement with him and teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets or Sacramento Kings could be options.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Rubio is looking for the five year max extension deal and he is eligible to sign it starting this season. The two sides have until October to get a deal done and this one could go the way of Greg Monroe or Gordon Hayward, as Rubio could be a restricted free agent after next season. The Wolves would likely want to match any deal, but Rubio could go out and find one they would not be willing to match to get a deal done.
Love is being targeted by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors and right now the team is looking at Andrew Wiggins or Klay Thompson as the center of those deals. According to ESPN.com, the Cavs are willing to put in Wiggins, but so far the Warriors are not willing to put in Thompson. Rubio is an exciting player and he has been developing for the Wolves, but he is not yet a star like Kyrie Irving and that is one reason why he may not get the max deal from the Timberwolves.
Rubio has been a very solid player for the Timberwolves over the past few years, but he has not been a max player yet and this could be a way for his agent to try and get some leverage from the team. The Wolves are in the process of talking about trading Kevin Love and if they sense that their other star wants to go, they could be more willing to do a max contract extension. Rubio is the second star to Love and right now the Wolves have to decide what the best move is as a franchise.
Last season the team missed the playoffs again and now they have not gone there with Rubio or Love in the past few years and that could lead to changes. According to ESPN.com, Love is done signing extensions in Minnesota and he plans on testing the market when he gets the chance. What happens with Love will affect Rubio, as he likely will have some more leverage if he is gone, as he could be the last star left on the franchise. The two sides are starting out negotiations and however the Love trade turns out could dictate how this eventually plays for Rubio and the team.